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Ted Hess-Mahan joins race for mayor

2013 June 8

by Emily Costello

Ted Hess-Mahan has confirmed to the TAB that he plans to run for mayor.

Hess-Mahan is an Alderman at Large in Ward 3 and has served on the board since 2003. He’s currently chair of the land use committee and has advocated for a residential exemption on local property taxes (to name just one issue).

From a political standpoint, Ted and Setti will split the more “liberal” vote in Newton if a primary were to take place. Seems like room for a candidate viewed as appealing to a “more conservative” segment of Newton room to make a move.
Mind you, “more conservative” in Newton is still plenty liberal compared to most of the country; I’m not referring to most conservative in Newton, just the ones who aren’t thrilled when an alderman ” wastes” everyones time with noise and pollution from leaf blowers; but still gives the OK to build a $200 million high school without light switches. (just saying…. welcome to the race Ted, best of luck)

Question? Ok. Ald Hess Mahan, You are a man that advocates for many social and environmental issues. You are currently in a position to affect policy locally, in all of Newton. A Mayor has very little impact on those issues. Where he does, he seeks approvals from the position you already hold. The Mayoral position is a leadership position in running the many functions of City gov’t: public safety, schooling, finance, operations/DPW, HR/contracts, IT. Why is this administrative position the right position for you, as opposed to a State legislative seat or a similar policy seat? Leaving aside social and environmental policy; is the Mayor making critical mistakes managing people and departments? Thank you.

Since Ted is running for mayor he must hold views different from Setti. I am all ears. Ted do you advocate for future ORs? How are your positions on many important issues a contrast to SW?
Who will be your campaign manager and which other aldermen line up in support behind you?
I sure hope I can vote for one of you. Right now I won’t vote at all for anyone who favors future ORs.

“Alderman Ted Hess-Mahan confirmed to Village 14 that he is running for both mayor of Newton and re-election for alderman at-large in Ward 3. He said that he informed Mayor Setti Warren today. (However, Warren already knew because he learned about it on Village 14!)

Hess-Mahan said that he thinks Warren has done a good job with some things but there are others that cause him enough concern to make him want to run. Specifically he listed the administration’s policies around affordable housing and the distribution of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds. He’s also disappointed that Warren hasn’t embraced making a strategic plan for the city part of the charter. (I’m condensing his points here but I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from him.)

He’s running for both jobs because he’s had a hard time convincing anyone to run for the seat in Ward 3. When asked if he thinks that will make him look less serious, he said that’s up to people to decide. He did say, though:

The tax relief provision for owners of below median value properties is the residential exemption-not “exception” as stated in the story. Alderman Hess-Mahan and I have co-sponsored a budget amendment asking the Mayor to initiate the residential exemption.
Since this is something that only a Mayor can do, perhaps that was one of the reasons he chose to run for Mayor.

Should be a tight race. I’m okay so far with Setti. Not sure there is any compelling reason to change. Maybe Ted can make that case. Arent they both different sides of the same coin?
I thought Ruth Balser would have run again.

Believe it or not, as much as I don’t like either one of the these candidates, if faced with the choice of only these two, I’d go with Setti. Ted speaks well, and is academically bright, but is socially and politically off-the-wall. I think Setti can be more middle-of-the-road, at least for a far liberal place like Newton. I hope someone else chooses to run.

Glad to hear that Ted is running and making this a race. I do believe that Ted should not also be running for Alderman. Maybe someone else with more moderate view will jump in the Mayor’s race as well.

@Ted: While I will admit, “getting my vote” will be a bit of an uphill battle for you ( pledging never to ban leaf blowers while mayor, and committing to a REAL & strong alternative energy initiative could go a long way though), let me wish you the best of luck. It is tough to put yourself out there, particularly when going up against a popular mayor.
I anticipate you will be “attacked” by both sides given the situation (and I know you to be an astute politician, so I am sure that will come as no surprise to you). Still it will be tough going at times. Good luck Ted.